Elastic resistance training improved glycemic homeostasis, strength, and functionality in sarcopenic older adults: a pilot study

The purpose of this study was to verify the effects of 12 weeks of elastic resistance training on the glucose homeostasis, strength and functionally in sarcopenic older adults. Seven sarcopenic subjects (age, 70.71± 8.0 years; body mass index, 22.75±3.1 kg/m(2)) participated of training protocol with 12 weeks of elastic resistance training. The oral glucose tolerance test, handgrip strength, sit-to-stand test, 4-m walk test, and coordination test were measured at baseline and after training. According to the results, baseline values of area under the curve of glucose and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance were significantly lower than after 12 weeks, respectively (808.2±185.0 mmol/L vs. 706.6±114.8 mmol/L, P=0.049; 1.44±0.48 vs. 0.73±0.32, P=0.040). There were a significant improve of HGS (24.3±5.7 kg vs. 27.3±7.3 kg, P=0.01), 4-m walking test (3.64±0.4 sec vs. 3.23±0.3 sec, P=0.04), and STS (10.2±2.3 sec vs. 9.0±1.9 sec, P=0.04) compared with baseline. In conclusion, these findings suggest that elastic resistance training improved glucose homeostasis, strength, and functionality in sarcopenic older adults.